Means and method of hoisting cargo



Oct. 12, 1965 F. H. STEWARD MEANS AND METHOD OF HOISTING CARGO 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 17, 1963 INVENTOR. [FAA/K 57EW4IQD AT/UP/VEYS Oct. 12, 1965 F. H. STEWARD MEANS AND METHOD OF HOISTING CARGO 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 17, 1965 Oct. 12, 1965 F. H. STEWARD MEANS AND METHOD OF HOISTING CARGO 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 17, 1963 p M WW E WM 5 H W A Q Oct. 12, 1965 F. H. STEWARD MEANS AND METHOD OF HOISTING CARGO 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 17, 1965 INVENTOR. F/M/K 575%?0 United States Patent 3,211,429 MEANS AND METHOD OF HOISTING CARGO Frank H. Steward, 2219 Ben Lomond Drive, Los Angeles 27, Calif. Filed July 17, 1963, Ser. No. 295,774 11 Claims. (Cl. 2581.4)

This invention relates to means and method of hoisting cargo, and included in the objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a means and method of hoisting cargo which utilizes a novelly arranged hoisting craft which is tethered by cable to a winch, and which is capable of exerting a thrust sufficient to sustain itself in the air, as well as to support a cargo to be raised or lowered, and maintain tension on the tethering cable; the hoisting craft being maneuverable either by remote control or by an operator riding the hoisting craft.

Second, to provide a means and method of hoisting cargo wherein the hoisting craft may be tethered to a winch located at any suitable fixed place, or mounted on a land vehicle or ship, or carried by an airplane.

Third, to provide a method of hoisting cargo which, when utilizing an airplane-borne winch, the airplane is caused to fly in a circle about the point at which the cargo is to be placed or picked up and the hoisting craft is caused to thrust itself to the axis of said circle and maintain itself at said axis while manipulating the cargo.

Fourth, to provide a hoisting craft incorporating novel direction control means, including one set of controls disposed in the thrust stream of the hoisting craft and a second set disposed in the slip stream surrounding the hoisting craft, the second set of controls having means whereby they may be rendered inoperative so as to minimize the effect of air currents on the hoisting craft during hoisting operations, and may be rendered operative at will to provide control for the hoisting craft when being towed by an aircraft.

With the above and other objects in view, as may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatical view showing the means and method of hoisting cargo wherein an essentially fixed base of operation is provided;

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatical view showing a modificat-ion of the means and method of hoisting cargo in which an airplane is employed as the base of operations, and illustrating a condition in which the hoisting craft is disposed substantially below the aircraft;

FIGURE 3 is a similar diagrammatical view showing the hoisting craft elevated to the plane of travel of the aircraft;

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatical, perspective view of one form of the hoisting craft, illustrating the manner in which it is tethered and the manner of supporting a cargo;

FIGURE 5 is a similar view showing a modified form of the hoisting craft, the portion of the body thereof broken away;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, diagrammatical perspective view showing the exhaust end of the hoisting craft, and illustrating the auxiliary controls to be employed when the hoisting craft is towed by airplane.

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatical view of the hoisting craft showing the incorporation of an operators cabin thereon;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary side view of one of the auxiliary control surfaces with portions in section;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken through 99 of FIGURE 8.

The hoisting craft 1, as shown in FIGURES l and 4, is a jet engine structure which includes a tubular body structure 2 having an intake 3 at its upper end, and a jet discharge 4 at its lower end. The body structure 2 may carry the fuel supply and any auxiliary apparatus required for operation of the jet engine contained therein.

As indicated diagrammatically in FIGURE 4, a pair of diametrically disposed pivot shafts 5, defining an axis X extending through the center of gravity of the hoisting craft 1, supports a gimbal ring 6. The gimbal ring 6 is provided with a pair of tethering shafts 7 defining an axis Y disposed at right angles to the axis of the pivot shafts 5.

The jet discharge end 4 of the hoisting craft 1 is provided with a pair of right angularly related control surfaces 8 and 9. The pivotal axis of the control surface 8 is in a plane common to the axis X of the pivotal shafts 5, whereas the pivotal axis of the control surface 9 is in a plane common to the axis Y of the tethering shafts 7, these planes being represented respectively by the broken line rectangles in FIGURE 4.

A modified form of the hoisting craft, designated 10, is shown in FIGURE 5. In this construction, the hoisting craft 10 includes a tubular body 11 having an engine 12 which drives counter-rotating propellers 13 and 14 to produce a thrust in a manner similar to the construction shown in FIGURE 4.

The modified hoisting craft 10 is provided with pivot shafts 15 defining an axis X passing through it center of gravity, and arranged to support a gimbal ring 16 surrounding the tubular body 11. Tethering shafts 17 extend radially outwardly from the gimbal ring 16 and define axis Y at right angles to the pivot shafts 15. Supported below the tubular body 11 is a pair of control surfaces 18 and 19, corresponding respectively to the control surfaces 8 and 9 of the structure shown in FIGURE 4.

Either of the structures shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 is connected to a tethering cable 20 by means of a yoke 21 joined to the tethering shafts 7 or 17. The tethering cable 20 is attached to a winch 22 which may be mounted on a fixed platform 23, as shown in FIGURE 1, or may be carried by an airplane 24, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3.

It should be noted that the fixed platform 23 may be a structure resting on the ground or may be mounted on a truck bed or secured to the deck of a ship. In any of these cases, the platform remains essentially fixed during operation of the hoisting craft, although, of course, the fixed platform may rotate about a vertical axis. Also suitable supporting struts 11a may extend from the body 11 or 2 to enable the hoisting craft to rest on a surface.

Also attached to the tethering shafts 7 or 17 by means of a yoke 25 is a cargo suspension cable 26. The lower end of the cargo suspension cable 26 may be provided with any conventional means for attachment to a load or cargo C to be hoisted.

The hoisting craft may be maneuvered by remote control through electrical conductors incorporated in the tethering cable 20, or the control may be accomplished by telemetering apparatus. Still further, the hoisting craft 1, or 10, may include an operators cabin 27, as shown in FIGURE 7.

In the operation of the hoisting craft when suspended from an aircraft, it is desirable to provide auxiliary control surfaces 28 and 29 which may be disposed along axes coinciding with the taxes of the control surfaces 8 and 9 or 18 and 19. The auxiliary control surfaces 28 land 29 are responsive to the slip stream outside the hoisting craft, and are employed when the hoisting craft is in a towing position with respect to the airplane.

During maneuvering of the hoisting craft for the purposes of hoisting cargo, it is desirable that the auxiliary control surfaces 28 and 29 be decoupled and rendered inoperative to influence movement of the hoisting vehicle. This may be accomplished in various ways, but for the purpose of illustration the auxiliary control surfaces 28 and 29 are shown mounted on journal shafts 30 by means of bearings 31.

Eccentric disks 32 are secured to the control surfaces 28 and 29 in such a manner as to be engaged by control levers 33 which engage the eccentric disks to move the auxiliary surfaces 28 and 29 into registry with the primary control surfaces 8 and 9 or 18 and 19. The primary control surfaces are shown in FIGURE 8 as provided with control levers 34. When the auxiliary control surfaces are in coincidence with the primary control surfaces, the levers 33 and 34 are contiguous and are operated in unison.

The method of hoisting cargo is essentially as follows, and in this respect reference is first directed to FIG- URE 1:

The hoisting craft is attached to the tethering cable 20 at approximately its center of gravity, and its radial position from the winch is determined by playing out or reeling in the cable 20. The power plant of the hoisting craft has sufficient capacity to exert a thrust capable of support ing the hoisting craft in the air, and such additional thrust as needed to lift a predetermined load. The hoisting craft is oriented in a direction either by remote control or by control of the operator riding with the hoisting craft so when the hoisting craft is above or in the plane of the winch it produces a thrust component continuously in a direction to maintain tension on the cable. When the hoisting craft is below the plane of the winch gravity serves to maintain cable tension if the thrust axis is maintained at approximately 90 degrees to the cable axis.

A vertical thrust component is maintained sufficient to sustain the hoisting craft and any cargo carried thereby in the air. If the hoisting craft is below the level of the winch, as shown by solid lines in FIGURE 1, this thrust may be less than the weight of the hoisting craft plus its cargo.

When the hoisting craft is above the level of the winch .22, as shown by broken lines in FIGURE 1, then the upward thrust must equal .or exceed the weight of the hoisting craft plus the downward component of the force exerted by the cable. When a load or cargo is added to the hoisting craft, an additional thrust is exerted to compensate for the weight of the cargo.

In the course of manipulating the hoisting craft, the control surface 8 or 18 is used to tilt the hoisting craft about the axis X shown in FIGURES 4 and with the result that the hoisting craft will move in a circle about the winch 22 as a center.

The control surface 9 or 19 is employed to tilt the hoisting craft about the axis Y of the tethering shaft 7 shown in FIGURE 4. This movement changes the angle 0 as indicated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3. This angle increases as the hoisting craft moves below the level of the winch 22, and decreases as it moves upwardly; however a positive angle is always maintained to insure tension on the cable.

In order to hoist a load, the hoisting craft is maneuvered .by its own controls and by manipulation of the winch 22 to a position over the cargo to be hoisted. The cargo is attached to the cable 26, whereupon the hoisting craft is caused to apply additional thrust sufficient to lift the cargo. The hoisting craft is then maneuvered to the position at which it is desired to deposit the cargo. Deposit and pickup of the cargo may be accomplished anywhere within the radius permitted by the cable 26,

Reference is now directed to FIGURES 2 and 3. In the method here employed, the hoisting craft may be towed behind the airplane 24 to the vicinity at which cargo is to be deposited or picked up. It may also, if the nature of the airplane permits, be carried within the fuselage of the airplane.

When in the area of hoisting operations, the cable 20 is played out and the hoisting craft is operated to produce a sustaining thrust, while at the same time roducing a 4- resultant thrust sufficient to maintain the necessary tension on the cable 20. The airplane is maneuvered into a circle, the center of which coincides essentially with the point of deposit or pickup of the cargo. The hoisting craft is maneuvered to produce a thrust which is varied in direction as the airplane is maintained in its circular path so as to direct the hoisting craft to the central region of the circle. When the hoisting craft reaches the central region of the circle, its ground velocity approaches zero.

The cable 20 may be played out to lower the hoisting craft, or the airplane may fly at a lower altitude, or means may be incorporated in the cargo suspension cable 26 so that its lower end may be lowered to deposit a cargo or for attachment to a cargo to be picked up. During this maneuver, the secondary or auxiliary control surfaces of the hoisting craft are decoupled, so that control is dependent solely on the control surfaces in the jet stream from the hoisting craft. That is, side winds exert a minimal force on the hoisting craft for the reason that the auxiliary control surfaces are free to swing with such side winds.

If the operation involves cargo pickup, the thrust produced by the hoisting craft is increased after attachment of the cargo and the cable 20 is reeled in. If the operation involves cargo deposit, the thrust is reduced as the cargo weight is relieved to permit detachment of the cable 26. Thereafter thrust is increased to lift the hoisting craft as the cable 20 is reeled in.

As the cable 20 is reeled in the hoisting craft is maneuvered so as to trail below the airplane and the airplane then proceeds in a direction tangent to the flight circle to tow the hoisting craft and its cargo, whether or not the hoisting craft has been brought into proximity to the airplane. When the hoisting operation is completed, the auxiliary control surfaces 28 and 29 are reactivated to insure stability of the hoisting craft while being towed.

It should be noted that the term cargo as herein used, is intended to designate any load which may be lifted or manipulated, whether involving freight or passengers or both. Also the hoisting craft may be utilized as a towing craft for the winch and the vehicle on which it may be mounted. Still further the hoisting craft may be utilized to maintain tension on the cable 20 so that other cables or hoses, or other conduits may be moved along the cable 29 to any point between the winch and hoisting craft. For example, a fire hose may be extended along the cable 20 to reach otherwise inaccessible places.

It should also be noted that it is desirable in some cases to provide a winch having a torque control to maintain tension on the cable. Thus, if the tension should slacken below a predetermined value, the winch will automatically reel in the cable 20. If the tension should exceed a predetermined higher value, the winch will permit unreeling of the cable. By such torque control, a sudden wind gust, or swinging movement of the cargo is less likely to create a dangerous condition.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the exact details of the constructions set forth, and it embraces such changes, modifications, and equivalents of the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of hoisting cargo which utilizes a hoisting craft capable of exerting a thrust to sustain itself in the air and support the cargo to be hoisted, a winch, and a tethering line connecting the hoisting craft and winch, characterized by:

(a) orienting said hoisting craft to produce a thrust component in a direction to maintain tension on said cable, and a vertical thrust component to support said hoisting craft;

(b) winching said cable to move the hoisting craft to and from the winch;

(c) maneuvering said hoisting craft laterally and vertically to a region essentially vertically above the point of pickup of a cargo;

(d) and again maneuvering said hoisting craft laterally and vertically to raise and move and deposit said cargo at another selected point.

2. A method of hoisting cargo which utilizes an airplane, a winch carried thereon, a hoisting-craft, tethered by cable to said winch, and capable of exerting a thrust to sustain itself in the air and support the cargo to be hoisted, characterized by:

(a) maneuvering said airplane in a circle centered over the location for deposit or pickup of a cargo;

(b) playing out said cable to separate said hoisting craft from said airplane;

(c) maneuvering said hoisting craft to produce a thrust component driving said hoisting craft to the center of said circle for delivery or pickup of said cargo;

(d) and exerting a vertical thrust component for support of said hoisting craft and cargo while maintaining a substantially constant tension on said cable.

3. The combination with a Winch and cable means, of

a hoisting craft, comprising:

(a) a body structure;

(b) means for tethering said body structure to said cable for pivotal movement relative thereto;

(c) a power plant capable of exerting a thrust sufficient to sustain said hoisting craft and to support a cargo to be carried thereby;

((1) control means for orienting said body structure in space to establish a thrust component in a direction to maintain tension on said cable, and other thrust components to move said body structure vertically and laterally;

(e) and attachment means depending from said body structure for attachment to a cargo.

4. A hoisting craft as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

(a) said power plant is a jet engine;

(b) and said control means is disposed in the jet stream therefrom.

5. A hoisting craft as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

(a) said power plant includes a motor and a pair of counter-rotating propellers;

(b) and said control means is disposed in the air stream produced by said propellers.

6. Means for hoisting cargo, comprising:

(a) a hoisting craft including a power plant capable of exerting a thrust suflicient to sustain the hoisting craft in the air and support a cargo depending therefrom;

(b) control means for orienting said hoisting craft in space;

(c) a winch and cable means;

(d) and tethering means connecting said cable and hoisting craft for pivotal movement about the centerof-gravity of said hoisting craft.

7. A means for hoisting cargoes as set forth in claim 6,

wherein:

(a) said power plant is a jet engine;

(b) and said control means is disposed in the jet stream therefrom.

8. A means for hoisting cargoes as set forth in claim 6,

wherein:

(a) said power plant includes a motor and a pair of counter-rotating propellers;

(b) and said control means is disopsed in the air stream produced by said propellers.

9. A means for hoisting cargoes as set forth in claim 6,

wherein:

(a) an airplane supports said winch and is adapted to fly in a circle defining a vertical axis;

(b) said hoisting means being maneuverable by said control means to position said hoisting craft in approximate coincidence with the vertical axis of said circle for hoisting cargo.

10. A means for hoisting cargoes as set forth in claim 7,

wherein:

(a) said hoisting craft is adapted to be maneuvered into towing position relative to said hoisting craft;

(b) auxiliary control means are provided on said hoisting craft responsive to the slip stream external thereof;

(0) and means are provided to render said auxiliary control means inoperative during maneuvering of said hoisting craft with respect to its hoisting position.

11. A means for hoisting cargoes as set forth in claim 6,

wherein:

(a) said winch is mounted on an essentially fixed support, and said hoisting craft is movable between a landing position and a position elevated above said support within the range determined by said cable.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,813,694 7/31 Bowman 2581.4 1,821,057 9/31 Godefroy 258-1.4 1,829,474 10/31 Chilowsky 244-137 2,295,527 9/42 Anderson 2581.4 2,298,912 10/ 42 Alabrune 2581.4 2,373,086 4/45 Alabrune 258-1.4 3,113,747 12/63 Smith 244-3 LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner. 

1. A METHOD OF HOISTING CARGO WHICH UNTILIZES A HOISTING CRAFT CAPABLE OF EXERTING A THRUST TO SUSTAIN ITSELF IN THE AIR AND SUPPORT THE CARGO TO BE HOISTED, A WINCH, AND A TETHERING LINE CONNECTING THE HOISTING CRAFT AND WINCH, CHARACTERIZED BY: (A) ORIENTING SAID HOISTING CRAFT TO PRODUCE A THRUST COMPONENT IN A DIRECTION TO MAINTAIN TENSION ON SAID CABLE, AND A VERTICAL THRUST COMPONENT TO SUPPORT SAID HOISTING CRAFT; (B) WINCHING SAID CABLE TO MOVE THE HOISTING CRAFT TO AND FROM THE WINCH; (C) MANEUVERING SAID HOISTING CRAFT LATERALLY AND VERTICALLY TO A REGION ESSENTIALLY VERTICALLY ABOVE THE POINT OF PICKUP OF A CARGO; (D) AND AGAIN MANEUVERING SAID HOISTING CRAFT LATERALLY AND VERTICALLY TO RAISE AND MOVE AND DEPOSIT SAID CARGO AT ANOTHER SELECTED POINT. 